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The captains leading each division soon arrived at their assigned destinations and, upon seeing houses consumed by flames while thick smoke rose into the sky, they immediately understood the extent of the destruction. Without wasting another second, one of the captains raised his voice above the panic. “Rescue the people first and put out the fire!” he shouted as the knights quickly scattered in different directions. Some hurried into burning homes to search for anyone trapped inside, while others formed lines to carry buckets of water and stop the flames from spreading to the remaining houses.

“It’s alright. We are here to rescue you,” one of the captains assured the terrified people as frightened families were carefully led out of their homes. Children clung tightly to their mothers while elderly villagers struggled to keep their footing, and the knights supported them as they guided them away from the burning buildings.

“Thank you… Thank you very much,” one particular woman said through trembling lips as she bowed repeatedly with her children beside her, unable to hide the relief on her face after escaping what she thought would be certain death.

“Just know the king will never abandon you,” one of Eryndor’s guards reassured them as they continued rescuing more people from the fire, carrying those who had been injured and helping others find safety before the flames could reach them.

After rescuing a great number of families, the cries that had once been filled with fear slowly turned into despair as they looked back at what remained of their homes.

“Where do we get to stay now? Everything has been burned to the ground,” one of the rescued villagers asked, and before long others began to break down as well, wondering where they would sleep or how they would rebuild the lives they had lost within a single evening.

“We will help with that. Do not worry, you will not be left alone,” the captain reassured them firmly, hoping his words would offer even the smallest comfort despite knowing nothing could erase what they had just witnessed.

“When did this happen, and did any of you see the people responsible?” he asked as his attention shifted to one of the families standing nearby.

“It was around this evening when we noticed them,” a woman who had caught sight of the attackers answered quickly. “They were dressed in dark clothes, and they all had strange markings on their faces p>

“Do you know where they went afterward?” the captain asked.

“They all fled into the woods,” the woman replied without hesitation.

“Thank you for your cooperation. We will capture them and make sure they answer for the losses they have caused you, your families, and this entire neighbourhood,” the captain promised, and the woman nodded gratefully. He then ordered some of the knights to accompany him while the others remained behind to protect the rescued families, treat the injured, and ensure everyone was safe until further help arrived.

Without wasting any more time, they headed into the woods in pursuit of the rebels. Every step they took was measured and cautious as they remained alert, their hands never straying far from the hilts of their swords while their eyes carefully searched every tree and every shadow around them. The deeper they ventured into the forest, the quieter everything became until the captain suddenly lifted a hand, silently ordering everyone to stop.

Something felt wrong.

No sooner had they halted than an arrow shot down from above and pierced one of the knights through the chest. He collapsed without another word, and before the others could even react, two more arrows flew from the trees and struck two more men, killing them instantly.

“They’re up there!” one of the knights shouted the moment he spotted movement among the branches.

“Quick, protect yourselves!” the captain ordered immediately, and the knights raised their shields above themselves just as another volley of arrows rained down upon them. The arrows struck the shields repeatedly, filling the forest with the sharp sound of metal against wood until the rebels finally exhausted the arrows they had prepared. Only then did they leap down from the trees with daggers and swords already drawn.

“You dare come into our lair?” one of the rebels sneered as he landed before them. “Did you really think it would be that easy to capture us p>

Just as the villagers had described, every one of them wore dark clothing, and strange markings had been painted across their foreheads.

“We’ll see about that once we’ve captured you,” one of the knights answered before their swords collided. Steel clashed against steel as both sides exchanged fierce blows, each strike carrying enough force to drive the other back while the forest echoed with the sounds of battle.

Meanwhile, in another region of Eryndor, a different division of knights lay hidden among the bushes after receiving information that another group of rebels would pass through the area before nightfall. They remained perfectly still beside the road where merchant caravans usually travelled, patiently waiting until, after what felt like an eternity, a caravan slowly approached before several armed figures suddenly stepped out to stop it.

“There they are. We’ll capture them at once,” the captain of that division whispered to his men, and they nodded before quietly emerging from their hiding places. The rebels barely had time to react before the knights charged at them. After a brief but fierce struggle filled with the clash of weapons and strained grunts, the rebels were overpowered, forced to the ground, and their hands were bound securely behind their backs.

“Where are the rest of you hiding?” the captain demanded.

“We don’t have anything to say to you!” one of the rebels spat back defiantly.

“Very well then,” the captain replied calmly before ordering them all to be tied together.

Back in the woods, the knights had already gained the upper hand. They had managed to capture the leader of the rebels in that area, and with the captain’s sword pressed firmly against his throat, the remaining rebels hesitated before retreating deeper into the forest.

“Where are the rest of your people?” the captain demanded from the captured leader.

“I would rather you kill me than tell you anything,” the man answered without the slightest trace of fear.

The captain had expected as much. Knowing further questioning would only waste precious time, he ordered the prisoners to be bound before leading them away.

Although the rebellion was far from over, it had finally begun to weaken. More rebels had been captured, several attacks had been stopped, and the captains could now tell there were still other hideouts scattered across the kingdom waiting to be uncovered.